Below you can find an overview of Rene´s coaching credentials. Any questions, please email Running Coach Ireland on support@runningcoachireland.zendesk.com or learn more about RCI´s services on ‘Work with me‘.
Certifications and education
- MsC Systems, Organisation and Communication
- BA Business Languages
- UKA Fell and Mountain Running Level 2 Coach
- Lydiard Foundation Level 2 coach
- AAI Level 1 coach
- Stryd Power Coach
- TrainingPeaks Level 1 coach
- VivoBarefoot certified coach
- BTR certified running technique coach
- Ido Portal Movement-X workshop
- MovNat Level 1 Trainer (ongoing)
- Functional Movement Systems (ongoing)
- Diploma in Sport and Event Massage
- National Qualification in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy
- National Qualification in Orthopedic Sports Massage
Social media profiles
- Medium
- Patreon – The Educated Runner (discontinued)
- YouTube (my new channel – awaiting first uploads)
- TrainingPeaks Coach page
Rene´s roles in sporting organisations and companies
- Commentator at the European Off-Road Running Championships (2022)
- Speaker at the Athletics Ireland Endurance Conference 4 (2017)
- Secretary of the Irish Mountain Running Association (2009)
- Webmaster of the Irish Mountain Running Association (2008)
- Head Coach and Chairman of Glendalough AC
- Supervisory Head Coach of West Waterford AC (2015) and Consultant Coach (2016-2017)
- Member of the Wicklow Athletics and Sli Cualann board
- Mountain Running Coach for Crusaders AC (2010-2013)
- Operations Coordinator and Deputy Race Director for EcoTrail Wicklow
- Race Director of the ‘Lap of the Gap‘ Marathon and ‘Glen to Glen Half-marathon’
- Race Director for the ‘Wicklow Way Relay’ 2013-2017, Deputy Race Director 2018-present
- Organiser of the IMRA Easter mountain running weekend 2011-2016
- Team manager for the Irish International Team at Snowdon 2012-2013
- Operations Trainer and Training Lead for Microsoft’s outsourced services organisation
- Several executive positions within arvato Services Ireland working for Microsoft
- Manager at the ‘Running Coaching’ lab at Running Superstore
- Delivery of Level 2 coaching material for Irish Orienteering Association
- Speaker at the Dublin Marathon Expo (2014-2016), Pink Run Expo and Killarney Marathon Expo
Notable athletes coached
- Barry Minnock – 2:17 marathoner and hill running international
- Jason Kehoe – 2015 and 2017 Irish Mountain Running champion, 2012/ 2017/2020 Carrauntoohil race winner
- Paul Tierney – record holder on the Wicklow Way and winner of the Lakeland 100 mile event
- Julie McNamee – 2nd lady in EcoTrail Wicklow 80 km
- Eoin Flynn – 2:25 marathoner and 10 time hill running international
And many more not listed for brevity or privacy reasons.
Publications and media appearances
- Athletics Illustrated
- Trail Running Ireland podcast (bi-weekly recurring)
- Irish Runner Magazine (October 2012)
- ‘From Couch to Eternity’ podcast (episode 152 and 153)
- ‘Live Ultra podcast episode 17 – How to train and complete ultras’
- Mud, Sweat and Tears – training running news (defunct)
- TodayFM (Road running is fine – just do it right)
- TodayFM (Think about taking up running in 2016)
Projects and initiatives
- Founder of the Lap of the Gap Marathon and RCI
- Owner and Guide for Danish trail running holiday company ‘Trailløbsferie.dk‘
Sporting achievements
- Team Bronze medal at IMRA Club Championship with Crusaders AC
- Silver medal in Wicklow Way Relay with Crusaders AC
- Team Bronze in the Wicklow Road Championship 2017
- Team Silver in Wicklow Intermediate XC 2019 and 2022
- Team Silver in Wicklow Off-Road champs 2022
- Individual County medals (M40 Gold Indoor 1500m 2023, M40 Silver County Trail Champs 2022, M40 Bronze at Wicklow 3k Champs 2022)
- PBs:
- 1500m: 4:55 (masters 5:11)
- 1 mile: 5:10 (Masters 5:51)
- 3 km: 10:10 (Masters 11:31)
- 5 km in 17:29 (Masters 18:50)
- 5 miles in 29:27 (Masters 33:37)
- 10 km in 36:50 (Masters 39:55)
- 10 mile in 60:28 (Masters 66:19)
- Half-marathon in 1:20:28
- Marathon in 2:55:56
Competed over distances from 1500m to 50 miles on trail, cross-country, track and road in Ireland and abroad.
Companies and associations who have hired me
- An Riocht AC
- Athletics Ireland
- Bank of New York
- Bentley
- BT Ireland
- BNS Construction
- Croghan AC
- Deloitte
- EcoTrail International
- European Athletics / WMRA
- Ernst & Young
- Goodbodies
- Løberejser.dk
- Irish Orienteering Association
- Irish Prison Service
- MiniCorps
- Outfront.ie
- Reventon El Paso
- Tinahely Tri Club
- West Waterford AC
- Wicklow Tourism
More company references on request…